Rise in potable water consumption worries Boracay water agency

The Boracay Island Water Company(BIWC)is racing against time to ensure enough supply of potable water for both residents and tourists whose number is projected to reach 1.2 million.
Blanca Eunicia Aldaba, costumer service officer of the BIWC, said that their earlier projection is for the potable water supply in this resort island to last until 2016.
"Based on our earlier study, we had consumed ten percent of the over-all water supply in Nabaoy River in mainland Malay," Aldaba said.
But the recent recognition of Boracay as the best beach in the world by an international magazine and projected one million visitors alarmed BWIC.
"With the growing tourism industry, we expect a 15 percent additional water consumption for 2013. Right now, we undertake a new study to determine the long-term viability of the water supply," Aldaba explained.
But while a new study is being undertaken, the BIWC an affiliate of the Manila Water Company is undergoing tree planting and protection of the Nabaoy River, the main source of potable water supply here.
"While we are concern with the possible water shortage in the future, we encourage tourists not to buy mineral or distilled waters if they are in Boracay. We urged them to use our water instead being supplied to their respective resorts as we guarantee that our water is safe and the supply is still much. Buying mineral water bottles added to garbage problem which leads to environmental degradation," she added.